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66 Aztec bronze paint

51K views 88 replies 37 participants last post by  davewho1 
#1 ·
Hey Guys, I have been away from home a few weeks, just returned. The body shop is running way ahead of time on the paint. I'm not sure about the color. I have Mike and Dale's CD's. Have several books, and what info I can find on here. We came back from the smokey;s for the Grand Run, lots of beautiful Chevelle's. Three Aztec bronze. They weren't all setting together too compare the colors, but they were all three different, one had a brown look, one had a maroon look, and one actually looked bronze. So what gives with these colors. I am not sure which one is right now. So I am the hold up on the paint, don't want to spend this kind of money, and it be wrong. The one man in the Smokey's said his came out wrong the first time, because of using the wrong kind of primer. So any help, or pictures of an original Aztec bronze car, would be greatly appreciate. Any advice, and or criticism. Thanks Gary
 
#2 ·
I don't have any pics of the color, but I would say that the end results does depend on the color of primer used, how many coats was applied, weather conditions, (such as humidity), and type of paint that was used,( base coat/clear coat or enamels.)

So to say you can get the EXACT color of Bronze that was used on the car from the factory, chances are it will be a different color than all the rest of the other cars you have seen.

All I can recommend is to get the color code, go to a good paint store and let a qualified painter do the job, and hopefully it will be close to the color you want.
 
#3 ·
I have the Numbers, Lucite 4707-L, Rinshed/Mason A-1817R, an Ditzler DDL-71525. One of these is now PPG I think. Some of these brands you can't get anymore. My car will not be a trailer queen, but I did get it from the original owner, whom is a close friend, and its all numbers matching. It was a good driver, that I love, and just got out of control, so to speak. Now it is a frame off. And I LOVE this color. I know the car will never be 100%, but, I want it to be the best I can make it .With the help of you guys. Thanks Gary
 
#4 ·
Gary,

I had my 67 re-painted Aztec Bronze, & I can verify that depending on the light or the angle you are viewing form, the color appears differently. In the bright sunlight it almost looks like burnt orange, later in the day it appears maroon. Sometimes it looks brownish. The time of day & the amount of light really determines just how this color appears.

I think this color is very unique, & also very difficult to get right. I had one pic circa 1970 of my dad's 66SS which was Aztec, & if you didn't know the car you would say it was brown. But then I came across a few other pics which had a shot of just the tail light panel. The color appeared lighter, redder & the metallic really stood out. Very hard to determine this color in photographs.

Hope this makes some sense.

Here is a pic of my car at high noon. The color lights up in direct sunlight.



Pete
 
#5 ·
Transport me back to '66 ! I drooled over Aztec Bronze Chevelles. I remember it just as described- changing colors with the light. That is the color I wanted my 72 El Camino painted.

It didn't turn out that way. :mad: No internet or Chevelle Tech to help with the correct paint code. Now that I'm ready to repaint I'm gonna get it right! This car is the closest I've seen to the Aztec Bronze that I remember.
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Motor vehicle Muscle car


Belongs to TC member CDN SS It might help some to contact him about the paint used on his 66. Pete's car looks too red to me, but that may just be due to monitor settings.
 
#6 ·
Rick,

I agree. My car may be too red. That photo was taken in very bright light, which was a less than ideal picture time. Sometimes it looks "right", but for the most part I don't think it is "brown" enough.

Just curious. The color of your Elky in the photo looks great. Why are you unhappy with it? Could the photo be playing tricks with my eyes?

Pete
 
#7 ·
Go with a color called "Saffron", from the G.M. Cadillac line in the '77/'78 model year!

It's so close to the original "Aztec" you'll love it, has just a touch more
"metallic" in it.

Never lost a show with my '66!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

 
#11 ·
One of THEE toughest 66 Colors to get Right!! That is a FACT and unfortunately.. it will not help IMO to see pics on line... it's just one of those colors you need to see in preson. Heck even my Danube Blue color is like that.

Bill Waters got it right... Randy Kirker in NY got it right... and one would think it just takes getting the Correct Color Codes and bam!! But there does seem to be more to it then that.. ask the guys who got the right color code and still had to do it over again :(

You are doing the right thing... asking questions.. it isa lot of $$ to get it wrong.

Good Luck

Mike Crown
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
... Bill Waters got it right... Randy Kirker in NY got it right... and one would think it just takes getting the Correct Color Codes and bam!! But there does seem to be more to it then that.. ask the guys who got the right color code and still had to do it over again :(

You are doing the right thing... asking questions.. it isa lot of $$ to get it wrong.

Good Luck

Mike Crown
Does anyone know if either of these guys got it right using basecoat/clearcoat? I will be painting my convert this winter, and would also like to "get it right".
 
#13 ·
The mans car at the Grand Run that looked right to me said the first primer was red oxide an made the paint look different to him. So he had it repainted using gray primer. Now this is just what he told me. I dont know for sure what you need to use, nor does my painter. Thats why Iam asking you guys.It cost to much to get it wrong. Thanks Gary
 
#17 ·
Thanks Gary... I can't take credit for the body work or interior. That was pretty well finished when I got it. But I've seen suppliers that still carry Bronze parts. It's all the other crap that went wrong with it I'm still fixing...rebuilt rear, brake lines, clutch, trans rebuild, starter, re-wiring the dash, lights, firewall bulkhead,,, I just keep it running ;-)
Good luck with yours and post some pix when done...
 
#19 ·
Bill,

Part of me wants to say.."cool story". Another part of me wants to say..."WTF????" :confused::confused:

Honestly, why the big secret? :confused::confused::confused: This is a PAINT CODE for crist sake, not the formula to CocaCola.

My car is a 67 & not originally an Aztec car. So What? I happen to LOVE the color. Whether the color is 100% correct or not, I am not repainting my car, so it makes no difference to me now. But why the national secret? Why not share with all who ask? That is what this hobby is all about IMHO.

Randy Kirker's car is gorgeous for sure, but he sounds like he may be wrapped a bit too tight. No offense to you guys, but seriously, lighten up.
 
#49 ·
Pete even when I was doing body work in the 70's and early 80's paint needed be tinted to match, even "factory" packaged paint direct from RM or PPG was off on most cars. The codes are out there my paint guy has color chips dating back to the late 50's . The color we saw on these cars a few years after production was off from when they were built due to fading . A car built in say Feb most likely didnt match the same paint coded car made in June as paint was made several times a year. My 01 firebird has 4 variants to the color

My car was originally Aztec Bronze but I went for a deeper color its a 90's GM color called dark Torreador
 
#20 ·
Did you save any of the parts off the car with original paint so it could be matched to the original color? When I redid the '65 L79 car I replaced one of the a-pillar covers to retain the original paint and have something to compare against. I still have it and the current paint matches it perfectly except for the size and quantity of the metal flake.
 
#22 ·
Did you save any of the parts off the car with original paint so it could be matched to the original color? When I redid the '65 L79 car I replaced one of the a-pillar covers to retain the original paint and have something to compare against. I still have it and the current paint matches it perfectly except for the size and quantity of the metal flake.

In my case I did not .....I never plan to go thru this again !! and to be 100% correct on my car any painted metal interior part was either a lower gloss or less paint so pbly would not help ...........but the braces behind the seat that show in trunk did not repaint and it has original color on it and also spatter paint overspray so wanted to keep that intact cause most would not agree some 66 got spatter trunk
 
#21 ·
Hey Pete no offense taken I understand what your saying ........I will say that some days I thought I was chasing the formula to Coca Cola

Anyway I now regret posting this as I certainly do not want Randy to come off as not a sharing guy ....if you know he & Candy and some other stuff he has helped folks with you would not say that .........yes you did say " may be wrapped up too tight " Thanks for that ..........so no he is not wrapped up too tight

Read between the lines ...the formula is out there .go get it ..........Right or Wrong I happen to believe this a unique color to some 66 GM cars and frankly would like to keep it that way .......if that means I an ass or anal or what ever, so be it I can live with it ..... and yes I would like to think I share with others in the hobby and agree this what hobby should be all about ..... if you saw the e-mails I get asking/ demanding the formula from all kinds of guys maybe who might understand ..

GUYS PLEASE no posts on this I totaly understand where Pete coming from and part of me agrees but dont want to turn this into defending or bashing deal

.......the info is there take it for whats its worth .... hope it helps if your trying to match a single stage metallic to BCCC in some of those tough colors like AB I learned a ton about formulas and metalllic flake sizes sizes etcetc .......PM me if you need help and doing a original 66 AB GM car ..... I have never turned down someone who asked for help on those cars .....
One more thing Pete ..... I see you from So Cal and realize no one wound up too tite out there .......but you gotta recognize guys who into "correct concours resto's are pbly all wound up too tight " :) Mod guys are way more laid back ..... I go both ways see my car its called the "bastard child by the pure resto guys ............................................so onthis topic I wound up too tight :)
 
#23 ·
Anyway I now regret posting this as I certainly do not want Randy to come off as not a sharing guy ....if you know he & Candy and some other stuff he has helped folks with you would not say that .........yes you did say " may be wrapped up too tight " Thanks for that ..........so no he is not wrapped up too tight
Bill,

I am sorry you feel like you shouldn't have posted this story. I really appreciate your passion. I didn't mean to insinuate Randy wasn't a generous guy, but he sure sounds a tad anal. ;)


Read between the lines ...the formula is out there .go get it ..........Right or Wrong I happen to believe this a unique color to some 66 GM cars and frankly would like to keep it that way .......if that means I an ass or anal or what ever, so be it I can live with it ..... and yes I would like to think I share with others in the hobby and agree this what hobby should be all about ..... if you saw the e-mails I get asking/ demanding the formula from all kinds of guys maybe who might understand.
Like I said before, I am not re-painting my car, but thanks for the offer. Whether it's "correct" Aztec or not, I can't say for sure. One thing I can say, when you see it in living color, the car & the color is stunning.

There is no excuse for anyone demanding something from anyone. A simple introduction, or a polite email is all I require to share info. I just appreciate anyone who takes the time to work on these cars, & wants to do it right. Hell I've sent parts to people on this site for free more than a few times for no other reason than it made me feel good. I sent someone a taillight lens today as a matter of fact & paid for the shipping. But that's just me, it doesn't mean others need to do what I do.

One more thing Pete ..... I see you from So Cal and realize no one wound up too tite out there .......but you gotta recognize guys who into "correct concours resto's are pbly all wound up too tight " :) Mod guys are way more laid back ..... I go both ways see my car its called the "bastard child by the pure resto guys ............................................so onthis topic I wound up too tight :)
This SoCal thing is new & temporary. I happen to be a born & bred New Yorker who sometimes can be direct to a fault, so I apologize if my previous post was scathing. There is nothing wrong with being a concours guy, a mod guy, or somewhere in between. But when I read you post, it struck me as "we have the correct paint mix, & you guys don't. NA NA NA NA." IMHO, that crap should be saved for the Corvette crowd.
 
#26 ·
I'd love to have a 66 just to paint aztec bronze!!

My first car was a mint all original 66 olds that was autumn bronze(same as aztec bronze) and the original primer under it was the red oxide.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Mike Crown (MysteryChevelle) knows a guy in Mississippi who owns a Sherwin Williams store and at least 2 Aztec Bronze chevelles. Over the years he has experimented with different formulas and is now 100% satisfied that he has it correct.

I'm not at liberty to disclose his name and number but Mike Crown might be.

Here's some pics of my 66 taken in 66

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356090
 
#28 ·
Mike Crown (MysteryChevelle) knows a guy in Mississippi who owns a Sherwin Williams store and at least 2 Aztec Bronze chevelles. Over the years he has experimented with different formulas and is now 100% satisfied that he has it correct.

I'm not at liberty to disclose his name and number but Mike Crown might be.

Here we go again! :rolleyes:

Please don't be offended by this, but what is the point of your post? Why bother responding if you don't have the formula to share & you can't share the guy's info? :confused:

If you can't give out his name & number, can you at least ask him to share his formula for the paint & post it here instead? That would be a huge asset to anyone trying to match this color.
 
#31 ·
You guys are making this more complicated than it has to be.
1.We all know it is difficult to match an old color 100% due to the difference in metallics from yesterday to today.
2.If you have an original part on your car it is not that hard to do a sprayout of your color so you can compare.
3.Every major paint manufacturer has a color lab.You can call them and ask them to do a lab match for what ever color you want under the sun,I have done it numerous times over the last 20 plus years with great success.
4.The best way is to send the color lab a sample from your car and they can match it.
5.Keep in mind everyones formula is different and there were variances of the original color even back in 1966,so no one formula is 100% guarantee :)
 
#33 ·
You guys are making this more complicated than it has to be.:)
True. But for those of us that do not have an OEM color sample, it does require a lot of legwork.

Please accept our apologies for not being as well versed on manufacturer's color labs as you. I THOUGHT THIS HERE FORUM WAS A PLACE FOR LEARNIN'
 
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